Mr & Mrs Smith

Ardara House

County Donegal, Ireland

The blue-fronted Victorian residence Ardara House stands proud on Ardara’s high street, having long been its grandest building. Decadent interior design enlists oversized chandeliers, bouquets of exotic fake flowers and reams of rich fabrics, ensuring it’s as boutiquey as boltholes come. The catering – if you sign up for it – is restaurant standard. This larger-than-life house doesn’t just urge you to luxuriate – it insists.

Need to know

• Rates information Two-night stays cost €895; three nights €995; one week, €1,200. Anyone booking Little Ardara as well as Ardara House will get 20 per cent off the usual rates for the cottage.
• Ideal for Celebratory weekends for groups of couples, grown-up families, seafood lovers.
• Sleeps 10
• Property style Built in 1880, Ardara House is a Victorian property and one of the most important and prominent houses in the heritage town of Ardara.
• Grounds Located on the bustling village’s main street, it has a gravelled yard at the rear, but chances are you’ll be more interested in the fact it’s a short drive from stunning beaches and rugged countryside.
• Minimum hire Two-night breaks.
• Children Ardara House is better suited to grown-ups.
• Booking process 50 per cent due at the time of booking, the other 50 per cent is due six weeks before arrival. A €750 security deposit is blocked out on a card the day before arrival.
• Also Pets are not allowed.

Floor plan

• Bedrooms

  Bedroom 1: The powdery-blue boudoir on the first floor has a king-size bed, and the biggest ensuite bathroom with a cast-iron freestanding bath and large drenching shower. It’s especially peaceful.
  Bedroom 2: The huge master bedroom on the second floor has a sprawling super king-size bed, a marble fireplace and an ensuite with a walk-in shower.
  Bedroom 3: Pale blue and soothing with a king-size bed, and a bathroom with drenching shower ensuite.
  Bedroom 4: This top-floor attic perch is a double room with striking magnolia wallpaper and a stylish all-white ensuite shower.
  Bedroom 5: Across the landing is a pretty twin bedroom; the two single beds can be curtained off. There’s a large drenching shower in the jade-coloured ensuite.

• Kitchen

  The daffodil-coloured kitchen is small but perfectly formed with a larder and pantry that is full to the brim with cute crockery sets and an extensive Wedgwood service for those lavish dinner parties the house is perfectly suited to. Definitely enlist the services of Ardara House’s fantastic chef while you’re here – it’s like having your own private restaurant.

• Living room

  Huge purple velvet Chesterfield, brown-leather armchairs and over-the-top chandelier – the cosy more-is-more sitting room is made all the more relaxing with a roaring fire, with coal and peat at the ready to keep it burning. A tray of martini glasses and cocktail shaker conjure an era where silver screen legends would fit right into Ardara House.

• Dining room

  The sitting room opens into a dining room which seats 8–10 comfortably. Flamboyant fake flower arrangements and an air of decadence actively encourage indulgence in every way.

• Private parking There’s usually room right outside on the street, and this is free.